Another common problem with the Nintendo Wii that a couple of readers have written me about includes an issue where the Wii cursor is behaving badly. By that, I mean it is either off-center, jerky, erratic or disappers frequently. I have had this experience with my Wii Nunchuk controller, but not my Wii Remote (Wimote). That fix was easy, I just unplugged the Nunchuck from the Wii Remote and then plugged it back in.

Of course, first check and make sure you have a good set of batteries -- this is a common cause of this type of issue. If your batteries are running out too quickly, check out this post for battery saving tips.

Also, it is important to note that Christmas Trees with Lights and Christmas Lights have been known to cause this issue. If it is the holiday season, make sure to check that first!

Here are the details of how you want to fix this problem of the cursor not appearing on your Nintendo Wii.

Verify that the Wii Remote's pointer lens is free of obstructions and contamination (stickers, heavy smudges, etc.). The pointer lens is the tinted rectangle at the end of the Wii Remote.

Try using another Wii Remote, if possible, and check to see if you experience the same problem.

If only one Wii Remote is not responding correctly, there is likely a problem with the Wii Remote. Please click here for repair information.

If more than one Wii Remote is not responding correctly, or if you only have one Wii Remote, please continue with troubleshooting.

Check the Directional Sensor Functionality by turning the Wii Remote upside down so that the buttons face the ground. If the cursor doesn't point down, this indicates a problem with the motion sensor in the Wii Remote. Please click here for repair information.

Verify that there are no bright light sources, including sunlight, behind or near the TV, shining towards the Wii Remote or reflecting off the TV screen. Avoid sources of infrared light in the gameplay area such as electric, propane or kerosene heaters, flames from fireplaces or candles, and stoves or other sources of heat. If there are bright lights shinning directly behind the TV or on the screen, turn the lights off.

Make sure that the Sensor Bar is setup correctly: Check the cord on the Sensor Bar for any frayed wires or kinks, and verify that the Sensor Bar is free of obstructions.

Verify that the Wii Remote is being used between 3 and 8 feet directly in front of the TV, and that the Sensor Bar is placed properly (see Sensor Bar setup).

Make sure that the Sensor Bar sensitivity is properly set: The Sensor Bar sensitivity determines the distance the player can be from the TV. If you move out of the range of the Sensor Bar the cursor can become erratic. For information on adjusting the Sensor Bar sensitivity, click here.

The higher the sensitivity is set, the more susceptible the Sensor Bar is to light and infrared heat sources. Make sure there are no bright light sources, including sunlight, behind or near the TV, shining towards the remote or reflecting off the TV screen. Avoid sources of infrared light in the gameplay area such as electric, propane or kerosene heaters, flames from fireplaces or candles, and stoves or other sources of heat.

Verify Sensitivity Setting dots:Go to the Sensor Bar's sensitivity setting in the Wii menu (click here for directions on accessing this feature).

If only one or no dots appear on the sensitivity screen, there is likely a problem with the Sensor Bar. Please click here for repair information.

If there are more than two dots, then it appears there is an additional light or infrared heat source being picked up by the Wii Remote. Avoid sources of infrared light in the gameplay area such as electric, propane or kerosene heaters, flames from fireplaces or candles, and stoves or other sources of heat.

If both dots appear and the erratic behavior continues even when you move closer to the TV, there is likely a problem with the Wii console and it will need to be repaired. Please click here for repair options.

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comments:

Anonymous
said...

i need help nothing has worked for me. now when i turn on the wii the cursor is not there at all. but when i connect my remote to a guitar hero guitar the cursor shows up and i can play well any everything. once i disconnect the remote from the guitar it doesnt work again. however the power and the wii home button on the remote works...help please!!!

My remote one does not have a cursor on screen. the directional and menu buttons work but without a cursor I can't play or even assign a new remote as player one. I have charge packs and charging stang for my remotes so batteries should not be an issue. I recently bought the sensor bar so that should not be it either. Do shops like pc repair shops work on Wii? At this point I'm willing to pay someone else to figure it out and correct it.

Thank you SO much. Culprit was the Christmas tree, which is right next to our TV. I never would have thought of this on my own. If only we'd known *before* my husband got pissed off and stormed out of the room. Haha!

My wii is brand new. The cursed was off by about 90 degrees at first and since trying different trouble shooting tips I've completely lost the cursed on my tv screen. I feel like I'm missing something and no, it's not Xmas lights. I can't really trouble shoot without a cursed. All the buttons work and the batteries are brand new. Any suggestions?